Will Bitter Melon make other plants Bitter?

kan555(7)April 8, 2013

Hi.. I just start planting bitter melon the first time. I put in it the same raised bed with other plants such as basil, cantaloupe, beans and tomato. I just talked to my asian friend and she told to plant bitter melon separately if I don't want other fruits and vegetables to get bitter taste. Is this true? Please help. Thanks.

Every year for 18 years I plant bitter melon onthe same bed with tomatoes, wing beans,and other vegetables . All the vegetables that are planted together with bitter melon did not become bitter in taste.

They won't make anything else around it bitter like jamesandfely said. Bitter melon/gourd is so good for eating and healthy, I don't know why more people don't plant or consume it. If you have diabetes or know some that does recommend this vegetable(technically a fruit) it is a good alternative to controlling your glucose level plus has lots of vitamins, fiber and minerals.

They should be fine, but occasionally you will get one that is bitter(luffa) tho and pretty much you can't do anything about it except not eating them assuming you are. Just eat them when they are young 6"-10". Any bigger and they become like your shower buddy ;)

Stevelau1911-
Disregard my comment on the luffa size. I saw in the other topic you posted that you planted the angled luffa's and not the regular round sponge bath type. My parents grows them on our 5 acre rented land for our farmer's market and they get very long and big depending how you care for them but they are still very tender and young.

Thanks for all great info here. Now I'm interested in angled luffa. I would really really appreciated anyone who can share some seeds. I haven't had fresh one for more than a decade and would like my kids to experience it. I can paypal you for any trouble. Thanks in advance.

It can turn bitter on its own, but it also depends on the cultivator you get. The cultivator I have hardly ever gets bitter ones until they get really old and start making seeds.

Anyways my luffa vines have survived many frosts since they've been outdoors for 1 month, and they are somehow close to making it up to the trellis by now. I can expect some fruits to form by July if we get warm enough weather.